United States International Relations

News about United States International Relations, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 6, 2015

Memo from Vietnam; American veterans living in Vietnam are leading reconciliation efforts there, hosting social events with former Vietcong soldiers they once considered enemies and becoming involved in social causes; relations between United States and Vietnam have strengthened rapidly over several years, driven in part by a need to form geopolitical alliances that counterbalance increasing power of China. MORE

Jun. 24, 2015

Thomas L Friedman Op-Ed column observes latest developments in China and Russia, as well as deployment of new armament to Eastern European NATO allies, indicates emergence of new Cold War; contend this iteration will resemble a raw jostling for power, lacking the clash of ideologies that defined the original; holds sanctions and economic clout remain the United States' most powerful weapons. MORE

Jun. 15, 2015

News Analysis; Pres Obama's battle with fellow Democrats to preserve the Trans-Pacific Partnership reflects his desire to leave a foreign policy legacy that goes beyond grim decisions related to the Middle East and other troubled zones; deal will hinge on whether Obama can convince Democrats that pact will do more to help American workers than hurt them. MORE

Jun. 7, 2015

Pres Obama plans to use Group of 7 meeting in Germany to call for sustained effort to isolate Russian Pres Vladimir Putin via economic sanctions; issue is expected to consume much focus at gathering, to detriment of other issues. MORE

Jun. 4, 2015

Sec of Defense Ashton B Carter travels to India in effort to forge military tie with country United States sees as crucial military partner in Asia, particularly in light of growing aggression of China in region. MORE

May. 30, 2015

Editorial supports United States in pushing back against China's power grab in South China Sea; contends America's role in policing Pacific Ocean and ensuring balance of powers there continues to be necessary; holds unchecked Chinese aggression poses dangers for stability and prosperity of all nations in region. MORE

May. 28, 2015

Secretary of Defense Ashton B Carter criticizes China for building military structures on reefs and outcroppings in South China Sea; warns actions will bring regional countries together and increase demand for American engagement in effort to maintain security in Asia-Pacific region. MORE

May. 27, 2015

Thomas L Friedman Op-Ed column observes the war against terrorism has failed to yield any type of pluralism in the intensely multicultural Middle East; says region has in fact fallen back on tribal conflict in the absence of centralized power; argues chaos is too complex and intense for any outside power to sort out, and United States should shift to policy of containing threats and amplifying constructive efforts. MORE

May. 18, 2015

Senior State Dept official Victoria J Nuland will hold talks with Russia on Ukraine peace deal in effort to shore up fragile agreement brokered by European leaders and deepen American commitment to finding solution there; Russia, Germany and France have indicated they do not necessarily welcome United States' involvement in process. MORE

May. 16, 2015

Countries in Latin America are increasingly deviating from many tenets of United States approach to combating drug trafficking, such as using prohibition and adopting militarized approach to deter growers of drug crops; shift marks waning US influence in region as well as changing attitudes toward drugs and drug enforcement. MORE

May. 14, 2015

Sen Marco Rubio outlines muscular American foreign policy designed to protect country's interests and set him apart as hawk in crowded 2016 presidential field. MORE

May. 12, 2015

King Salman of Saudi Arabia and leaders of other Gulf Cooperation Council countries are becoming more public in their expressions of mistrust and displeasure with Obama administration's Middle East policies, particularly deal on Iran's nuclear program; disentangling themselves from decades of military cooperation with United States and Britain will be slow process as they have become dependent on US for security. MORE

May. 10, 2015

Republican presidential hopefuls gathered in Greenville, SC, push for more muscular American foreign policy, including stronger presence in Middle East, crackdown on terrorists and better relationship with Israel; candidates criticize Pres Obama for what they see as weak approach to foreign affairs. MORE

May. 2, 2015

Obama administration meets with leaders of Middle Eastern allies, attempting to reassure them of United States commitment to their security in light of pending deal on Iran's nuclear program. MORE

Apr. 29, 2015

Thomas L Friedman Op-Ed column holds trade agreements being pursued by Pres Obama with Pacific allies like Japan and Singapore and with European Union will benefit United States not only economically but also in terms of national security and foreign policy; says rules of any kind between free market democracies are needed at time of rising disorder in Middle East and Africa and power plays of both Russia and China. MORE

Apr. 26, 2015

Ross Douthat Op-Ed column submits that major challenge facing Pres Obama's successor will be deciding which of many overseas conflicts involving United States to try and win and which to merely contain; holds Republicans, frustrated by Obama's half-fought wars, are agitating for more aggressive involvement; warns America cannot fight aggressively on all fronts at once and sometimes containment, or lack of involvement, is best of bad option. MORE

Apr. 20, 2015

Op-Ed article by Iranian Foreign Min Mohammad Javad Zarif characterizes international concern over Iran's nuclear program as a manufactured crisis, urging West to engage with Iran to address more fundamental issues of security in the Middle East; calls for regional dialog to ease conflicts in Syria and Yemen and to confront Al Qaeda and the Islamic State more cohesively and effectively. MORE

Apr. 19, 2015

Descent of Middle East into number of proxy wars, sectarian conflict and fights to limit influence of terrorist groups has resulted in boom for American defense industry hoping to make up for smaller Pentagon budgets; number of requests for military hardware has raised fears of dangerous arms race in region, particularly because restrictions on arms sales, in place to protect Israel, have been relaxed. MORE

Apr. 18, 2015

World leaders who have arrived in Washington for spring meetings of International Monetary Fund and World Bank are expressing concern about what they see as United States ceding role of leader on global economic stage; many view retreat as result of political dysfunction and budgetary concerns, and experts warn that situation is leading to chaotic global shift in which China is ascending. MORE

Apr. 16, 2015

Resignation of Voice of America director David Ensor is latest sign of turmoil at the government news agency, which is charged with presenting America's viewpoint to the world; policy experts warn organization is floundering at the exact moment when America needs to counter sophisticated propaganda from countries like China and Russia and groups like the Islamic State. MORE

Apr. 15, 2015

Eduardo Porter Economic Scene column examines new arguments from environmentalists against current strategies for sustainable growth in developing world; suggests nations must be allowed to develop economically before they can adopt regulations, and that demanding unreasonable concessions pushes them further into China's sphere of influence; examines counter-intuitive environmental benefits of 'development first' theory. MORE

Apr. 13, 2015

Memo From Panama; Pres Obama receives unusually warm welcome from leaders present at Summit of the Americas in Panama, due in large part to United States' thawing relations with Cuba; question remains as to how United States will leverage political capital it has gained to address corruption, failing democracies and human rights abuses in Latin America. MORE

Apr. 12, 2015

Nicholas Kristof Op-Ed column contends global education of girls is a strategy against terrorism that has been ignored, on a bipartisan basis, repeatedly since Sept 11; urges American lawmakers to understand that foreign policy focusing on educating girls ultimately helps expands the labor force, foster moderation and promote the kind of economic growth that terrorists groups know will undermine their recruiting efforts. MORE

Apr. 11, 2015

Editorial acknowledges that Obama administration's policy shift toward Cuba has created potential for renewed engagement with Latin American countries at Summit for the Americas; suggests other steps Obama could take to further improve United States' standing in region; calls for US to facilitate imports of natural gas to region and to mend ties with Brazil; urges Obama to reiterate to Venezuelan Pres Nicolas Maduro that he is not planning military action there. MORE

Apr. 6, 2015

Thomas L Friedman Op-Ed column relates details of interview with Pres Obama in wake of draft nuclear agreement with Iran, calling it greatest opportunity to thaw relations with country in decades; observes consistent 'Obama doctrine' embedded in administration's pursuit of engagement with long-isolated nations like Burma, Cuba and now Iran; cites Obama's defense of his policy, including its implications for Israel, and its outlook for support in Congress. MORE

Apr. 3, 2015

News Analysis; nuclear agreement with Iran, potentially easing 36 years of hostility between it and the United States, marks rare opportunity for success in Pres Obama's oft-thwarted foreign policy; critics have accused Obama of conceding too much to a dangerous enemy out of desperation to secure legacy; Obama will likely face legislative efforts to increase sanctions and toughen stance as he seeks to finalize agreement. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

Roger Cohen Op-Ed column argues main priorities for United States and West in Middle East should be securing nuclear accord with Iran and defeating Islamic State group; suggests inconsistencies in Pres Obama's current approach to region are dictated by realities there, which is as it should be; observes that taking fight to Islamic State will require cooperation with Iran. MORE

Mar. 29, 2015

Ross Douthat Op-Ed column points out that seeming foreign policy muddle in Middle East is direct result of Obama administration's attempts to move away from system in which United States was dominant in region and managed close network of allies; cautions that problem with this move is that US cannot be so easily disentangled from region and resulting system will be more volatile and dangerous than the one it replaced. MORE

Mar. 27, 2015

News Analysis; United States support for Saudi-led military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen comes at cost of escalating regional fight with Iran, which backs Houthis; while US and Iran are at loggerheads in Yemen, they are de facto allies in fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria; situation highlights what some see as puzzling patchwork of Middle East policies by Obama administration. MORE

Mar. 25, 2015

Thomas L Friedman Op-Ed column examines range of consequences that would result from successful United States deal with Iran over its nuclear program, particularly due to turmoil in Sunni Arab world; notes that any deal should be evaluated for how it affects Israel and how it fits into wider US strategy in the Middle East. MORE

Mar. 13, 2015

Congressional Memo; Republican lawmakers have united around foreign policy following internecine struggle in their first months of Congressional control; have doubled down on opposition to nuclear negotiations with Iran, defending controversial invitation to Israeli Prime Min Benjamin Netanyahu; strategy gives Republicans opportunity to contrast themselves with Democrats amid improving economy. MORE

Mar. 12, 2015

News Analysis; Pres Obama's declaration that Venezuela is extraordinary threat to American security appears to have backfired, painting United States as bully and bolstering Venezuelan Pres Nicolas Maduro's support at home and in Latin America; officials say that declaration was formality required in order to lodge sanctions against certain Venezuelans suspected of human rights violations. MORE

Mar. 12, 2015

Letter from Republican Sen Tom Cotton of Arkansas to Iranian leaders warning against nuclear deal with Obama administration has generated international furor; Cotton personifies wave of Republican newcomers to Senate who support hawkish, interventionist foreign policy. MORE

Mar. 11, 2015

White House Memo; lack of any real relationship between Pres Obama and Israeli Prime Min Benjamin Netanyahu is indicative of Obama's approach with other foreign leaders; his cool, businesslike approach with them leaves him bereft of the kind of sustaining relationships that previous presidents cultivated to help mollify disagreements and receive cooperation. MORE

Mar. 8, 2015

Editorial warns that proposed Senate bill from critics of possible international agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program could scuttle emerging deal; adds that bill would also bar Pres Obama from easing sanctions on Iran for 65 days and eliminate executive authority he used in 2013 to lift sanctions, jeopardizing America's credibility; urges Congress to stop playing political games with foreign policy. MORE

Feb. 25, 2015

Republican contenders for 2016 presidential nomination are quickly shifting positions on foreign policy, responding to public anxiety over Islamic State, terrorist attacks in Europe and tension with Russia; many potential nominees are coming to favor more restrained foreign policy approach. MORE

Feb. 20, 2015

United States announces expansion of air-quality monitoring at some diplomatic missions overseas, which it has done for years in China; purpose of expansion is to spread awareness of outdoor air pollution and potential health risks, as well as fact that such pollution spreads across national borders. MORE

Feb. 8, 2015

Ross Douthat Op-Ed column traces Pres Obama's focus on America's past sins to insight from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who noted that no society is innocent, most recent example of which was Obama saying that religious violence is not limited to Islam; considers limits of this approach, particularly with respect to foreign policy. MORE

Feb. 7, 2015

Feb. 6, 2015

Deep policy and political divisions between Pres Obama and New Jersey Sen Robert Menendez, top Democrat on Foreign Relations Committee, have burst into public view; Menendez, whose position would otherwise make him key advocate for administration policy, has sharply questioned Obama's stance on Cuba and Iran. MORE

Jan. 30, 2015

White House Memo; First Lady Michelle Obama sparks chatter after she is photographed without any head covering in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Obama's attire was actually in keeping with longstanding custom for first ladies in the Muslim kingdom, and is part of a complex clothing protocol that first ladies must navigate while abroad. MORE

Jan. 30, 2015

Op-Ed article by Vice Pres Joseph R Biden Jr holds that tremendous problems facing El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras can be addressed given sustained effort that has been forthcoming from their leaders and help from United States; contends America's fortunes are linked to those of South America, ignoring their problems brings them to US doorstep; urges Congress to approve $1 billion Pres Obama has requested to make reforms in South America, saying failure to do so will cost far more. MORE

Dec. 26, 2014

Paul Krugman Op-Ed column looks back on year and suggests that number of major government policies worked well, despite much talk about how United States government seemed clueless; notes how Ebola virus was handled, success of health care reform law's first year and way US foreign policy has succeeded as examples of government doing well in 2014. MORE

Dec. 19, 2014

Diplomatic Memo; three of Pres Obama's diplomatic achievements--reestablishing ties with Cuba; interim nuclear agreement with Iran; and climate-change pact with China--resulted from negotiations; not since 1971 has a president embraced undercover diplomacy with such enthusiasm. MORE

Dec. 19, 2014

News analysis; Communist nations of Cuba and North Korea are posing two different challenges for Pres Obama; holds that while Cuba is newest experiment in integration, North Korea is escalating confrontation with United States in innovative way with easily deniable cyberwarfare. MORE

Dec. 15, 2014

Sec of State John Kerry travels to Rome to hold difficult meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as the foreign ministers of Russia, France, Britain and Germany; will face arduous task as Europeans press for a United Nations Security Council resolution on Middle East negotiating deadline that is opposed by Israel; will also attempt to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, without confronting Russia militarily or providing Ukraine with lethal military aid. MORE

Dec. 12, 2014

American officials attending global climate change negotiations in Peru are getting enthusiastic reception; many international negotiators say historic deal between China and United States to commit to cut their emissions could be catalyst for new global accord on climate change. MORE

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